Flexible Working (Business Organisation)

What is flexible working?

Working arrangements where employees have options in terms of working time, working location and the pattern of working

What are examples of flexible working options?

• Part-time working

• Term-time working

• Working from home

• Flexitime

• Career breaks

• Job sharing

• Annual hours contracts

• Mobile working

• Shift swapping

What is the most popular type of working in the UK?

Part-time working

What are the second most popular types of flexible working?

• Job sharing

• Flexitime

• Working from home

What is the ‘Gig economy’?

• Significant rise in the extent of self-employment

• Firms in the Gig Economy have a more flexible operation which is better able to match work with consumer demand

• Do flexible working options help businesses attract and retain employees compared with self-employment?

What are the main benefits of flexible working for a business?

• Cost- Potentially significant savings on fixed costs (e.g less space) and lower recruitment and training (if labour retention improves)

• Higher job satisfaction and employee morale if employees who want to work flexibly are allowed to do so

• May attract more applicants for available jobs

• Better customer service- e.g. ability to offer 24/7 services

What are the drawbacks of flexible working for a business?

• More complex to manage

• Investment required in technology and other support to make flexible working effective

• Potential impact on motivation from greater remote working (e.g. increased isolation, work/life balance)

• Loss of capacity/capability if key employees reduce their hours